[UPDATED with links to issue previews] Free Comic Book Day is here and we have a visual checklist of all the official FCBD comics from participating publishers, a list of special in-store appearances by Oni Press and BOOM! Studios creators, and more!

The Free Comic Book Day 2013 visual checklist

Bongo Free-for-All (Bongo Comics)

Bongo rings in another Free Comic Book Day with a comical cornucopia of four-color comics and games. First, Bart becomes a model citizen for a day…with disastrous results. Then, Jimbo and the gang escalate and elevate their juvenile delinquency to new heights. Stick around for a bedtime tale with the dim but adorable Li’l Homer and go in search of the Happy Little Elves with Maggie.

Dark Horse: Star Wars/Captain Midnight/Avatar (Dark Horse Comics)

All-ages adventure! Star Wars joins fan-favorite villains Darth Vader and Boba Fett! Then explore the upcoming Dark Horse series Captain Midnight, where the search for the missing superhero is on! And the smash hit Avatar: The Last Airbender follows Mai as she deals with her broken heart…

Infinity (Marvel Comics)

The biggest super heroes in comics today – the Avengers, X-Men, Guardians of the Galaxy, Fantastic Four, Inhumans, Superior Spider-Man & more! The most dangerous threat in the Marvel Universe – Thanos! The grandest Marvel Comics event of all time – INFINITY!

This May for Free Comic Book Day, prepare yourselves for the greatest battle for survival ever waged in the Marvel Universe as Marvel marches towards Infinity! In this all-new story by the blockbuster creative team of Jonathan Hickman and Jim Cheung, witness the opening shots of the war that will be heard around the galaxy. Plus, get a sneak peek behind a major Marvel release that hasn’t been announced yet and relive Thanos’ first solo story.

It’s an Ugly Doll Comic & Other Stuff (VIZ)

Say, Friend. Do you need a hero? Then this comic isn’t for you. (Though being Ugly is a super power – “ugly” means unique!) Do you need a cookie? Then this is your book! Join OX™, Wage™, Babo™, Ice-Bat™ and all their friends in the Uglydolls’ first ever comic book adventure. The Uglydolls may not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, but they sure will eat your candy! And don’t miss the bonus features from other famous members of the VIZ Kids family!

It’s An Uglydoll Comic will also feature samples of the upcoming Pokemon Pocket Comics [coming Fall 2013] which are a collection of full color, self contained, fun and funny comic strips featuring pokemon from Pokemon Black and White. Also featured are samples of the upcoming Hello Kitty graphic novels [October 2013] which are full color original stories by American artists such as Jacob Chabot [Mighty Skullboy Army]. The last property to be included is Mameshiba, the strange, unique, and absolutely adorable combination of a bean and a dog put together.

kaBOOM! Summer Blast (BOOM! Entertainment)

An explosion of All-Ages awesomeness from KaBOOM! this Free Comic Book Day! Sure to be one of the most popular offerings this Free Comic Book Day, the KaBOOM! Summer Blast is 48 pages chock-full of the most popular all-ages comics on the stands today! Featuring excerpts from Adventure Time, Peanuts, Regular Show, Bravest Warriors, Garfield, Ice Age and some brand-new surprises, these series will keep readers young and old coming back to your comic shop again and again!

Sesame Street & Strawberry Shortcake (Ape Entertainment)

On side one, Elmo, Cookie Monster, The Count and Super Grover teach you about the magic of reading comics! It’s GUARANTEED to chase the clouds away! On side two, join Strawberry Shortcake and friends on 3 berry sweet adventures! Includes “The Blue Flu”, “The Hunt for Blackberry’s Treasure”, and “Blueberry’s Book Tour”. It’s a bushel of fun!

Superman: Last Son #1 Special Edition (DC Comics)

Superman: The Last Son of Krypton #1 is a great jumping-on point for fans who can’t wait to see Warner Bros. Pictures’ Man of Steel major motion picture! This issue features the first chapter of the Superman: Last Son of Krypton graphic novel, written by Richard Donner and Geoff Johns and illustrated by Adam Kubert, featuring Superman’s epic battle with General Zod and the Phantom Zone villains. In addition, it includes a special sneak preview of the blockbuster new monthly series starring The Man of Steel by the all-star team of Scott Snyder and Jim Lee!

SpongeBob Comics Freestyle Funnies (United Plankton Pictures)

United Plankton brings you a completely original collection of SpongeBob comics for FCBD 2013. In “Paint Misbehavin'” Squidward teaches SpongeBob and Patrick how to paint realistically–but how did they learn to bring their painted creations to life? Then in “Day of the Free Comic” SpongeBob must foil Plankton’s latest plan: invading the Krusty Krab inside a…giveaway comic book! Will funny books ever be the same? And: Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy take on a new villain: the sultry Catfishstress. All this plus facts about the colorful cuttlefish, a fill-in comic, and a preview of this summer’s SpongeBob superhero-themed annual!

The Smurfs (NBM Publishing)

THE SMURFS return to Free Comic Book Day with two stories never-before-seen in the US! Gargamel has tormented the Smurfs time and time again, always vowing his revenge on the small creatures. But what happens when he is forced to tangle with someone bigger than him- a nasty Ogre? Will the Smurfs let the Ogre destroy Gargamel, or will they decide to help their oldest foe? Find out in “The Ogre and the Smurfs”! Also featuring comics from two of the hottest new Papercutz series-ANNOYING ORANGE and ARIOL, a new series from Emmanuel Guibert!

Jumping from screen to page, it’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles NEW ANIMATED ADVENTURES! This unique series captures the heart of the smash Nickelodeon television show with brand-new stories. Full of action, excitement and laughs, this is the perfect all-ages comic to get you seeing green!!

The Walking Dead Special (Image Comics) [Mature Readers]

This special Walking Dead issue contains a new Tyrese short story, who made his television debut in The Walking Dead Season 3! It also reprints short stories featuring Michonne, The Governor and Morgan. This special issue is a must-have for Walking Dead fans–none of these stories will be reprinted in the trade paperbacks!

World of Archie Digest (Archie Comics)

Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead! The world’s most famous teenagers for over seven decades are all here in this FREE digest! Packed with non-stop laughs and gaffs that the Riverdale gang is known for, we challenge you to find a Free Comic Book Day offering with more pages than this! The perfect introduction to the world of Archie and friends, this digest is a great primer to the double digests that Archie Comics are known for. Filled with stories from some of the best creators in the business, this is the one to pick up on Free Comic Book Day!

2000 AD Special (Diamond Comics Distributors-England/Rebellion)

Home of Judge Dredd, 2000 AD is the UK’s award-winning weekly SF anthology comic. In this bumper 48-page FCBD special, The Jimps Club is a brand new Judge Dredd story about a club of Judge impersonators compete against each other to see who can last the longest on the harsh streets of the ‘Big Meg’. They’ve got being a Judge down to a fine art, nailed the mannerisms and the stance, but all it takes is one mistake for Dredd to spot an imposter…; Zombo returns in the all-new Planetronix: Mohawk Of Menace! – the failed government(TM) robot defense force Planetronix (TM) are on a mission to just say NO to DRUGS! But when Yellow Lion (TM) starts getting into insidious punk rock music, Zombo has to intervene; plus thrill-pounding action from The Visible Man, dimensional instability issues for Indigo Prime and dubious thermo-nuclear advice from alien delinquents DR & Quinch.

Absolution: The Beginning (Avatar Press) [Mature Readers]

Christos Gage (Avengers Academy, X-Men: Legacy, Authority: Prime) created a visceral world where law enforcement turns to super cops to subdue the new breed of street evil. But when one cop crosses the line and begins hunting and killing criminals in secret, he becomes worse than those he brought to ultimate justice. Absolution takes fans on an insane roller-coaster ride that ends in a public hero’s downfall and the uprising of a violent judge, jury, and executioner. Absolution: The Beginning reprints the first two issues (#0-1) of this classic series and provides a sneak peek preview at this summer’s highly anticipated sequel, Absolution: Rubicon! Perfect for fans of the Punisher and Authority – Absolution will show you what happens when a superhero is pushed beyond the boundaries of sanity and decides to push back.

Action Time Buddies (Antarctic Press)

Kid the Adventurer and Bro the Kung-Fu Pegasus are back in an ALL-NEW story for Free Comic Book Day! The fan-favorite best buds will face fierce forests, soaring snakes, nincompoop ninjas, doofy dinosaurs, and vile villains all in the name of fun! Don’t miss out on this growing hit!

Aphrodite IX #1 (Image Comics)

Aphrodite IX returns for Free Comic Book Day! This first free issue launches a new ongoing series of Top Cow’s fan favorite, memory challenged, green haired, questionably human heroine. Hundreds of years after a cataclysmic event scorched the surface, Earth and its inhabitants have been forever altered and a new landscape and political struggle has taken hold with three distinct factions fighting for control. Aphrodite IX is both anachronism and advanced technology in a world that she no longer recognizes. No aliens, just humans and their genetically and technologically altered descendants in a mixture of the best Sci-Fi and Fantasy has to offer!

Atomic Robo & Friends (Red 5 Comics)

Unanimously heralded by fans, creators, retailers and critics as the perfect first comic to give to a non-comic-reader. It’s a robotic experiment gone wrong, and only Atomic Robo’s brand of violent science can save the day. We’ve got lasers, explosions, and robots. It’s like the transforming-robot movies, but comprehensible! Plus, previews of 2013 adventures of Red 5 favorites and new faces.

It’s out action featuring the newest stars to be of Disney XD: Avengers and the Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.! Featuring art pulled directly from the animated series, this sneak peek at the two newest animated series from the geniuses at Marvel Animation promises to make this the biggest Free* Comic Book Day Ever! *Are we really giving this away?! YES!

Bleeding Cool Magazine (Avatar Press)

Bleeding Cool Magazine celebrates Free Comic Book Day with an all-new issue dedicated to the best new comics, creators, and events of this year’s FCBD! Filled with all-ages accessible previews, interviews, and articles that help the fans to enjoy the comic collecting hobby, BCM FCBD is the perfect supplement to help readers new and old find the best comics and expand their experience at the party into a passion for a lifetime. In this issue, we give the new FCBD reader everything they need to become a lifelong collector – a Collecting Comics 101 feature, the Top Genre & Starter Graphic Novels in stores, and Tips and Tricks for the Back Issue Hunt! This perfect entry point into Bleeding Cool Magazine is ideal for giving readers tons of extra FCBD content and to introduce our hot comics, speculation, and unique brand of entertainment to a host of new customers.

Buck Rogers (Hermes Press)

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, the first, best and original sci-fi hero is supporting free comic book day with a special re-print of two complete Sunday stories by fabled artist Rick Yager, who defined the look of the character for over twenty years. Hermes Press’ Buck Rogers FCBD issue will feature two complete, exciting storylines starring Buck Rogers and Wilma Deering in “The Mind of Minds” and “Wilma to the Rescue.” These stories have been painstakingly digitally reconstructed to perfection and look better than the original newspaper Sundays! Hermes Press’ Buck Rogers FDBD issue will also offer bonus material and tons of surprises!

Capstone Presents Mr. Puzzle (Capstone Publishing)

Who is Mr. Puzzle, you ask? Well, he’s the perfect fit for any problem, of course! And Capstone brings him to you for the perfect price…FREE! Follow Mr. Puzzle on two exclusive, never-before-seen adventures by Chris “Elio” Eliopoulos. Watch the superhero stretch, bend, shrink, and grow, all to keep the folks of Busyville safe. Don’t miss this two-for-none of fun with Mr. Puzzle!!

Damsels (Dynamite Entertainment)

The Little Mermaid has been captured by a cruel wizard, who intends to keep her locked away forever. But help comes in the form of a valiant one-legged tin soldier whose heart is far bigger than he is. Can the Little Mermaid escape her vicious captor with nothing but a talking toy to guide her? Find out in this fairy tale for all ages written by Matthew Sturges (Jack of Fables, Doctor Who).

DC Nation Super Sampler (DC Comics)

This super sampler is the perfect place to check out two sensational series from the DC Kids line, Beware The Batman and Teen Titans Go!, based on Warner Bros. Animation’s new animated series coming soon to Cartoon Network’s DC Nation Saturday morning programming block. It includes two exciting, all-new stories that readers of all ages will enjoy!

Disney Fairies (NBM Publishing)

Papercutz presents DISNEY FAIRIES featuring Tinker Bell, along with comics from the new hit series, STARDOLL! There’s only one fairy in Pixie Hollow who can’t fly- Water-Talent Fairy, Rani. Why doesn’t Rani have wings? Was she always this way? Find out in “Tinker Bell and the Wings of Rani”.

Dragon Ball & Rurouni Kenshin Restoration (VIZ)

A seminal series from a legendary creator. Dragon Ball, a wry update on the Chinese “Monkey King” myth, introduces us to Son Goku, a young monkey-tailed boy whose quiet life is turned upside-down when he meets Bulma, a girl determined to collect the seven “Dragon Balls.” If she gathers them all, an incredibly powerful dragon will appear and grant her one wish. But the precious orbs are scattered all over the world, and to get them she needs the help of a certain super-strong boy…

During the violent upheaval of the Bakumatsu era, Hitokiri Battosai was a feared and ruthless assassin. But now that the Meiji Restoration has begun to heal the wounds of civil war, Battosai has taken up a new name…and a new calling! He is now Himura Kenshin , a rurouni wanderer who has vowed to only draw his sword to protect those in need. But not everyone is pleased with Kenshin’s new direction, and enemies from his dark past have vowed to bring him down!

Endangered Weapon B (Diamond Comics Distributors-England/Markosia)

What kind of lunatic forces a grizzly bear to wear mechanized combat armor and fight his battles? What kind of fiend kidnaps a beautiful Polynesian computer genius to be his child bride? And just who has a ninja for a butler anyway? Meet the Professor: eccentric, scientist, explorer and Englishman par excellence. Madcap steampunk high jinks in Endangered Weapon B.

Fantagraphics: Prince Valiant (Fantagraphics)

This full-color comic collects two Prince Valiant stories from Hal Foster’s 1950 peak: “Home Again,” in which Val, Aleta, and newborn baby Prince Arn enjoy an eventful ocean journey back to Thule, and “The Challenge,” in which another knight’s unwelcome advances on Aleta result in a classic duel with Valiant.

Finding Gossamyr: Stuff of Legend (Th3rd World Studios)

Return to the fantastic world of Gossamyr as Th3rd World’s critically acclaimed, all-ages series continues in an brand new, original, adventure just for Free Comic Book Day! The Lorelarks are tasked with chronicling the tales of Gossamyr. But when a young novice feels that the growing legends of Jenna and her brother Denny might become a danger to the siblings, she is moved to action and challenges the code of her order. Also in this issue, the saga of the New York Times Bestselling Graphic Novel, The Stuff of Legend continues!

FUBAR Special (Alterna Comics) [Mature Readers]

The New York Times-best selling zombie series FUBAR returns with an all-new Free Comic Book Day one-shot! This 32-page issue contains four stories that span the entire American experience from Valley Forge to the present day. Select stories from FUBAR: American History Z (in Previews this February) will put you in the boots of the founding fathers as they come face to face with the walking dead. If you’re new to FUBAR, now’s the perfect time to jump on board!

Grimm (Dynamite Entertainment)

Discover the characters, creatures and inspiration behind the storyline of NBC’s hit-series, Grimm! From the producers of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, Grimm features Portland homicide detective Nick Buckhardt, as he discovers he’s descended from a long line of “Grimms,” who are charged with keeping balance between humanity and the creatures of myth. With newly awoken abilities to detect the evil lurking among us, Nick struggles to keep his old life separate and safe as he becomes ever more entrenched in the ancient rivalries of the Grimm world.

Harbinger Wars Special (Valiant Entertainment)

Everything you need to know about the Valiant Universe in 2013 happens right here this Free Comic Book Day! The critically acclaimed, best-selling comics launch of the decade throws it into high gear with HARBINGER WARS, Valiant’s first-ever family crossover! The blistering conflict between BLOODSHOT and HARBINGER will crack the Valiant Universe in half and reveal the true cost of power. Plus — who will stand to oppose X-O MANOWAR on PLANET DEATH? What adventure lies beyond the horizon for ARCHER & ARMSTRONG? Who is the true heir to the legacy of the SHADOWMAN? And what top-secret projects could possibly be coming next? Get all the answers right here.

Judge Dredd Classics (IDW Publishing)

In advance of IDW’s coming ongoing series re-presenting the best Judge Dredd stories from the past with all-new coloring, this special FCBD release offers one of the most beloved Dredd stories of all time: the introduction of Judge Death, with all-new color! Plus: bonus “Walter the Wobot” strips appearing in color for the very first time, all beautifully illustrated by the brilliant Brian Bolland!

Kellerman/L’Amour Special (Random House)

Kellerman /L’Amour features thrilling excerpts from 2 of the Random House Publishing Group’s stalwart authors; Jonathan Kellerman and Louis L’Amour. Kellerman’s THE WEB is the 2nd graphic novel adaptation that brings new life to a classic Alex Delaware psychological thriller. L’Amour’s LAW OF THE DESERT BORN is a classic Western-and an all-new L’Amour story told in a style like no other! The Free Comic Book Day sampler will feature a 14 page excerpt for each graphic novel, both are scheduled to publish in Fall 2013.

Marble Season (Drawn & Quarterly)

Drawn & Quarterly continues its FCBD tradition of offering the best free comic in the industry by publishing an exclusive excerpt of its lead Spring 2013 book by legendary alternative cartoonist Gilbert Hernandez of Love & Rockets fame. Marble Season is a semi autobiographical epic about a group of kids growing up in the 1960s seen through the eyes of a young boy. Comics and popular culture of the day will dominate the proceedings and tell the untold story of one of the medium’s greatest and most respected artists. This FCBD has no nudity and no swearing and it will serve as a great preview for the upcoming book of the same name, which will be one of D+Q’s lead titles of 2013.

Dark Horse: Mass Effect/Killjoys/R.I.P.D.

Three blockbuster titles fill this FCBD offering! In R.I.P.D., a séance goes terribly wrong! Then, in Mass Effect, follow a flight-school grad as he breaks the rules to prove himself in space! Finally, check out the police-state landscape of the highly anticipated miniseries The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys!

Molly Danger/Princeless (Action Lab Entertainment)

Two complete stories! She’s Strong, She’s smart, and she’s incredibly brave. She’s the protector of Coopersville, the Princess of Finesse, the petite powerhouse known only as Molly Danger! But what secrets threaten everything she holds dear. And on her way to rescue her sisters, Adrienne finds another mysterious princess locked away in a tower, but she’s guarded by one of the knights sent to hunt Adrienne. Who is this princess and will Adrienne and Bedelia survive trying to rescue her?

Mouse Guard/Rust Flipbook (Archaia Entertainment)

For Free Comic Book Day, Archaia is proud to present a square flip book containing a collection of original short stories from some of its all-ages-friendly titles! In David Petersen’s Mouse Guard short, a young Sadie is told a mouse fairy tale about proving one’s self and the best trait to look for in love. Royden Lepp’s Rust tells how rocket-boy Jet Jones learns an important lesson while helping the younger members of the Taylor family with their daily chores on the farm. This spectacular, free one-shot also includes original short stories from Sean Rubin’s upcoming, enchanting dinosaur tale, Bolivar; Jim Henson’s fantasy classic, Labyrinth (an Archaia original graphic novel by Ted Naifeh, Adrianne Ambrose, and Cory Godbey is in the works); and Nate Cosby and Chris Eliopoulos’ justice-seekin’ boy hero, Cow Boy. As an added bonus, there’s also fun Pantalones, TX activity pages by Yehudi Mercado!

NFL Rush Zone: Season of the Guardians (Action Lab Entertainment)

Two complete stories! A referee’s flag is corrupted by the power. The Guardians must arrive at the Bengals-Titans game and get that flag before the referee throws it, bringing it to life. And the villainous Coach Carnage is on the recruit for his interstellar team “The Visitors,” and it’s up to the Guardians, with the help of previous draft picks, to stop him from ruining the draft and taking this year’s recruiting class. This FCBD book also includes an exclusive preview of Jeremy Dale’s adventure/fantasy comic series, “Skyward.”

Overstreet’s Comic Book Marketplace (Gemstone Publishing)

Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy and Joss Whedon’s Avengers film wouldn’t have happened without the comic book adventures that spawned them. The same is true Superman, The X-Men, Spider-Man, Thor and Captain America, and it’s also true for non-superhero films like Sin City, Road to Perdition, Blade, A History of Violence and others. This issue of Comic Book Marketplace takes a look a detailed look at the comics that spawned the movies. It also offers tips on collecting movie posters and puts the origins of Free Comic Book Day under the spotlight as well. Cover by John K. Snyder III.

Pippi Longstocking Color Special (Drawn & Quarterly)

Drawn & Quarterly offers a second FCBD title for the first time this year and it will feature one of the world’s most beloved and popular characters, Pippi Longstocking! The Pippi Longstocking Color Special will offer a sneak peak at the brand new Pippi Longstocking title that D+Q will publish in May 2013 to coincide with FCBD. Pippi Longstocking was created by Astrid Lindgren and has developed a dedicated fan base of both children and adults for over six decades. The comics presented here were originally published in Swedish in the 1950s and are now being presented for the first time ever in English. This will be the perfect All Ages comic book, ideal for developing a new readership of kids in the 6 to 10 age set.

Ramayan Reloaded Preview (Liquid Comics)

The original “blue skinned avatar,” returns in these epic tales of Rama from the hit Ramayan 3392AD series. Set in a time two thousand years in the future and against a backdrop of one of the most immortal mythological tales of all time. Ramayan Reloaded re-imagines one of the most epic tales in history, and this special origins issue provides all the information on the myriad characters and settings of the series. Collecting short stories written by Ron Marz and illustrated by leading talents such as Michael Avon Oeming, Luke Ross, Bart Sears, Jim Starlin and David Peterson.

Oni Press: Rated Free for Everyone (Oni Press)

Oni Press: Rated Free for Everyone returns for 2013! Featuring two stories by two incredibly talented creators, a new Crogan’s Adventure by Chris Schweizer, and an introduction to Mermin, a new story by Joey Weiser! In the Mermin Adventure, Mermin goes with Pete and his human classmates to the zoo. And in the Crogan’s Adventure, you’ll get an epilogue to the story of one of the brothers from Crogan’s Loyalty.

Scratch9 (Hermes Press)

Scratch9, the worlds greatest superhero cat returns for free comic book day with a special reprint issue #1 of the title and features all new cover art by Armand Villavert, Jr. Scratch9, as fans of the title already know, is the Eisner Award nominated all-ages comic book featuring a cat with the ability to summon any of his 9 lives to aid him in his adventures! Hermes Press’ Scratch9 FCBD issue will also offer bonus material and tons of surprises!

Sonic the Hedgehog/Megaman Flipbook (Archie Comics)

“Worlds Collide: PRELUDE” – It’s TWO free comic books in ONE! Just in time for the start of the epic Sonic the Hedgehog and Mega Man crossover event, “Worlds Collide,” comes a primer issue exclusively for Free Comic Book Day! Witness the journey these two epic heroes from both Sega and Capcom took to finally meet each other – Mega Man’s journey chronicled on one side, and Sonic the Hedgehog’s on the other! This is the must-have primer for the biggest comic book event of 2013 – as video game icons Sonic the Hedgehog and Mega Man meet for the very first time anywhere – featuring art from both Sonic and Mega Man comic book fame!

Stan Lee’s Chakra the Invincible Preview (Liquid Comics)

From the mind of legendary creator Stan Lee comes his newest superhero, CHAKRA THE INVINCIBLE. Chakra tells the story of young Indian teenager, Raju Rai, a technology genius living in Mumbai. Determined to use science to unlock the secrets of human potential, Raju develops a technological suit that activates the mystical Chakras of the body, unleashing newfound abilities and powers.

The Steam Engines of Oz(Arcana Studio)

SteamPunk Originals Presents: The Steam Engines of Oz FCBD. Get a special sneak peek at the upcoming re-imagining of Oz through a SteamPunk lens. Find out what happens 100 years AFTER the witch is dead. In an Oz ruled by a once revered hero, salvation comes from the unlikely wrench of Victoria Wright, who dares to question status quo and sparks a rebellion. This FCBD Edition will give you an exciting extended preview of the upcoming graphic novel AND a look at what else Arcana’s SteamPunk Originals line has in store for readers!

The Strangers #1 (Oni Press)

“The last thing you want to see is my hands.” They’re called the Strangers. They’re deadly. Dangerous. And you’ll never see them unless they want you to. But now they’ve come up against something big – United States government big. A cover-up of international proportions, and at the center of it all is the Strangers’ deadliest foe, a man known only as Capricorn. A man who knows the Strangers. A man who sees them.

The Red Ten #0 (Comixtribe)

Who are THE RED TEN? And who wants them dead? Delve deeper into the murder mystery maxi-series that is a superhero retelling of Agatha Christie’s classic whodunit “And Then There Were None.” Also features OXYMORON: QUIET RIOT, where a super-criminal psychopath holds a city hostage in terrifying silence as one cop struggles to stop the madman before her city burns to the ground.

The Tick (New England Comics)

This FCBD, NEC Press offers fans—both old and new!—a FULL-COLOR 32-page comic book with an ALL-NEW FULL-LENGTH Tick story! Plus exciting all-new backup features as well. “A Day at the Beach” starts out innocently enough for The Tick, Arthur, Bumbling Bee & their friends—until The Tick encounters an invasion force from under the sea! A story sure to be enjoyed by existing Tick fans as well as suitable to introduce new readers to the world of The Tick and his cohorts!

Top Shelf Kids Club (Top Shelf Productions)

Here at Top Shelf, we’re celebrating FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2013 with friends old and new — the latest lineup of the Top Shelf Kids Club! This FREE comic book contains not one, not two, but SIX different adventures for readers of all ages. Inside are brand-new stories featuring OWLY by Andy Runton, JOHNNY BOO by James Kochalka, KORGI by Christian Slade, PIRATE PENGUIN VS NINJA CHICKEN by Ray Friesen, and UPSIDE DOWN by Jess Smart Smiley, plus the debut of MONSTER ON THE HILL by Rob Harrell, who also contributes this year’s cover! Come on in and join the party!

Valiant Masters 2013 Showcase Edition (Valiant Entertainment)

This Free Comic Book Day, dive deep into the greatest stories of the original Valiant Universe — remastered and collected together for the first time anywhere! Relive the best-selling adventures of Valiant’s definitive heroes — NINJAK, SHADOWMAN, the ETERNAL WARRIOR, and more — in this special FCBD-only edition previewing the next year’s worth of VALIANT MASTERS hardcover collections. Featuring all-time classic work by some of comics’ most celebrated talent including Jim Shooter, Joe Quesada, Barry Windsor-Smith, David Lapham, Bob Layton and more. There’s never been a better time to discover why the Valiant Universe created a new generation of comics fans and became the stuff of legend.

Worlds of Aspen 2013 (Aspen Comics)

Aspen is proud to celebrate its TENTH ANNIVERSARY and is planning its largest initiative ever-including this year’s jam-packed Worlds of Aspen 2013 Free Comic Book Day flip book! Join Aspen Comics as they reveal exclusive in-depth content for all of their exciting “10 for 10″ titles which debut all year long. Aspen is also offering TWO completely brand new stories, starting with Michael Turner’s Fathom! Kicking off this summer’s upcoming thrilling Fathom event, Fathom writers David Wohl (Fathom Volume 4) and Vince Hernandez (Fathom: Kiani), along with seasoned Fathom scribe J.T. Krul deliver an exclusive 12 page FCBD story featuring the brilliant regular series art team of Alex Konat and Beth Sotelo! And to top it all off, Worlds of Aspen 2013 will showcase a WORLD PREMIERE preview of Peter Steigerwalds’ upcoming new Aspen series, ZOONITY!

Oni Press and BOOM! creator FCBD appearances/signings

Writer Chris Roberson, of Oni Press’ The Strangers, will be signing comics at Beach Ball Comics in Anaheim, California from 11am to 3pm while The Strangers artist Scott Kowalchuk will be visiting two shops in Calgary, Alberta: Alpha Comics from 10am–1pm and Phoenix Comics SW 1:30pm–4pm.

Oni Press: Rated Free for Everyone creators will also be making in-store appearances and signings on Free Comic Book Day. Chris Schweizer will be at Rick’s Comic City in Nashville, Tennessee while Joey Weiser will be at Criminal Records in Atlanta, Georgia.

Say Anything frontman and creator of BOOM! Studios’ Polarity Max Bemis will also be at Golden Apple Comics in Los Angeles from 12pm–2pm and he will then be at Beach Ball Comics in Anaheim from 4pm onwards.

Other current BOOM! Studios and KaBOOM! creators participating in signings include:

Eric Esquivel (Freelancers) appearing at Jesse James Comics in Glendale, AZ and Samurai Comics East in Mesa, AZ.

Indie publisher Wayward Raven celebrates “Free Comic Book Weekend”

From the press release:

Free comic book day? Try nationwide free comic book weekend!!!!

At Wayward Raven Media, we believe that one day simply isn’t enough to enjoy free comics. That’s why we are giving away one of our flagship books The Ascendant issue #1 for free digitally from Friday 5/3 at noon until Monday 5/6 at noon!

The Ascendant has demons, an ancient conjurer, and epic battles in Rome including one at the Coliseum itself. The story follows a Duke of Hell named Cail who has changed his ways and gone on a crusade to vanquish the evil he once let slip upon the mortal realm. Demons, both personal and real, stand in the way of his redemption as a great threat stirs in the fiery pit.

King Conan: Hour of the Dragon #1 exclusive preview

Below is an exclusive preview of King Conan: Hour of the Dragon #1, the comics miniseries adaptation of the only full-length Conan novel ever written by Robert E. Howard. King Conan: Hour of the Dragon #1 comes out in shops on May 29, 2013 and features the creative team of Timothy Truman (writer), Tomás Giorello (illustrator), and Jose Villarubia (color art).

Didn’t see any of the Liquid Comics offerings, either. I do hope they’re better than their predecessors, though. Liquid Comics is the re-branded version of Deepak Chopra and Richard Branson’s Virgin Comics… whose output I can describe (charitably) as uneven from my experience. The line also had this annoying habit of using celebrity name-branding on their comics—John Woo’s Seven Brothers, Guy Ritchie’s Gamekeeper, Jenna Jameson’s Shadow Hunter, etc.—which I felt was slightly disingenuous, because checking the actual credits, guys like Woo and Ritchie were actually only listed with the nebulous “concept by” or “based on an idea by” credit.

I’m sure Lee is no more involved than throwing out ideas like Woo and Ritchie. That seems to be his pattern. I keep wanting to like Virigin offerings becuase they had great descriptions but I never could get into ANY of them.

I bought John Woo’s Seven Brothers at the height of my interest in Garth Ennis’ work and I still couldn’t into it, despite Ennis doing the script. It just didn’t hang together too well despite a bunch of industry pros putting in solid work. Virgin Comics initial output always struck me as of a piece with the “movie comics” publishers that started sprouting up during the early aughts, outfits like Platinum and Radical, whose books often read like extended, elaborate illustrated pitches for Hollywood blockbuster-style films and “triple-A” video games… and the problem with that is, by deliberately going for that Hollywood/triple-A video game investor mindset, the books already have some measure of genericization of style and content from the get-go. That being said, however, I have read some real good comics from Radical over the years, it’s just that their batting average for me is a bit low.